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Venezuela Did Not Request Russian Military Assistance Amid Crisis - Moscow

© AP Photo / Fernando LlanoWoman shouts "Welcome humanitarian aid" as he waives Venezuelan flag in front aof a group of Venezuelan Army soldiers and National Guard officers blocking the main access to the Tienditas International Bridge that links Colombia and Venezuela, near Urena, Venezuela, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019
Woman shouts Welcome humanitarian aid as he waives Venezuelan flag in front aof a group of Venezuelan Army soldiers and National Guard officers blocking the main access to the Tienditas International Bridge that links Colombia and Venezuela, near Urena, Venezuela, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 - Sputnik International
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Caracas did not send to Moscow a request for Russian military assistance, Alexander Shchetinin, head of the Latin American department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with Sputnik.

We consider and analyse requests from our strategic partners very carefully. We did not receive a request on this issue", Shchetinin said, answering the question whether Caracas asked Moscow for Russian military assistance to Venezuela amid the current political crisis in the Latin American country.

Russia is open to dialogue with all Venezuelan politicians who are ready for a constructive discussion of the situation in Venezuela, Shchetinin noted.

"As for Venezuelan politicians, we are open to dialogue with everyone who has a constructive approach [to the situation], who is primarily concerned about the interests of Venezuelan people and the country's socioeconomic development, and speaks for the establishment of an inclusive political dialogue to this end", Shchetinin said.

Commenting on the financing partnership, he stated that Russian-Venezuelan investment cooperation is based on legal agreements that must be respected by any responsible government in the country.

"Our economic and investment cooperation [with Venezuela] is based on a well-developed legal and contractual framework; it is in the interest of both countries, including in the interests of the Venezuelan economy and people. These legal agreements must be respected by every responsible government driven by real economic priorities rather than ideological ones", the diplomat said in an interview.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attends a military exercise in Turiamo, Venezuela February 3, 2019. - Sputnik International
'End Game': US Venezuela Envoy Wants Maduro to Flee to Russia or Cuba
He also stated that international consultations on the situation in Venezuela must not turn into a "dialogue on capitulation" but should be aimed at the reconciliation of opposing political forces in the country.

"What does Russia propose in the context of what is happening in Venezuela? To respect [Venezuela's] sovereignty. To prevent a destructive, including forceful, foreign intervention. To establish a dialogue. If international assistance is needed to do this, we support it. Therefore, we welcome the initiative of Mexico, Uruguay, and the CARICOM [Caribbean Community] countries. However, we believe that this cannot and must not be a 'dialogue' on some kind of capitulation. This should be a dialogue on reconciling [political forces in Venezuela] and overcoming the crisis", Shchetinin stressed.

READ MORE: Bolivia Not Supporting Montevideo Declaration on Venezuela

Uruguay's Foreign Affairs Minister Rodolfo Nin, left, and European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini shake hands at the end of an “International Contact Group” meeting regarding the ongoing Venezuelan crisis, in Montevideo, Uruguay,Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019. Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez is leading the meeting attended by leaders of 14 countries, including Spain, Italy, Portugal and Sweden. - Sputnik International
‘Montevideo Mechanism’ Seeks ‘Zero’ Point to Start Negotiations in Venezuela
Venezuela continues to be locked in the midst of a political crisis after National Assembly leader Guaido announced on January 23 that he was now interim president, citing the alleged illegitimacy of last year's presidential election as grounds for his declaration.

Although being dismissed by the Maduro administration in Caracas, Guaido has found ample backing internationally, with Trump's open support soon being followed by a multitude of nations, including sizeable European powers such as the United Kingdom, France and Austria.

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